Cuomo: NY must act on algae blooms, lake water quality

December 21, 2017

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state must do more to fight the growing problem of algae blooms in upstate lakes.

The Democrat on Thursday proposed a $65 million plan to study, treat and prevent the blooms, which can contaminate local drinking water supplies, sicken people and animals in the water and interfere with recreation.

Twelve water bodies including Chautauqua Lake, Cayuga Lake, Lake Champlain and Lake George would be deemed high priorities because of their vulnerability to algae or because they are key sources of drinking water or important recreation areas. The state funding, which will require legislative approval, would go to lake-specific plans to combat the problem.

The proposal is one of several initiatives announced this week ahead of Cuomo’s state of the state address next month.